The poor old Harrogate line - twenty years ago it was suffering with Class 141s and now they want to send former LU stock there.Can not personally see the provision of third rail happening here, given that Network Rail have even recently commented that considerations had been made to converting the Southern to OHLE.

Ain't never gonna 'appen!3rd rail might, might, just expand a little bit in Merseyrail land or south of the Thames but never in an area where it does not already exist.A recent statement was made saying that all 3rd rail lines should be converted to overhead well that ain't gonna happen either at least not in the next 20+ years.Now electrifying Leeds to York via Harrogate at 25kv overhead is a very good idea if the money can be found.

Policy aside, there's a lot of technical issues with mixing 3rd rail and overhead which would kick in around the existing electrified areas in Leeds and York. Not beyond solving but it all bumps the cost up. The the D stock needs converting from fourth-rail; and while the interiors have had a heavy refurb a lot of the bits that really matter are 32 years old and will only give a few more years before being life-expired by the time S stock has reached the District. And that leaves you in a sticky position - having spent the money on the 3rd rail, you then either have to rip it up again or get a small dedicated fleet of 3rd rail units from new. (Or pick up another life-expired fleet with all the hassle that involves, as WYPTE did with the 307s and 308s)

I am another who is of the opinion that this will never happen. Apart from anything else, my understanding is that these trains do not meet National Rail crash worthyness standards and so would be most unlikely to be allowed to operate anywhere that could potentially see them come into contact with another train.

I am another who is of the opinion that this will never happen. Apart from anything else, my understanding is that these trains do not meet National Rail crash worthyness standards and so would be most unlikely to be allowed to operate anywhere that could potentially see them come into contact with another train.

Cleary doesnt meet specs anyway.

Signalling would have to be changedAwsDra would have to be installed.

And more to the fact why would network fail install 3rd rail when there trying to ditch it?

I wonder if the D stock could be sent to operate the "Island Line" over on the Isle of Wight and replace the Class 483's which are now rapidly approaching 75 years of age?

subsurface stock would be too big. i can see the 1992 stock going there

The 1992 stock is only around 18-16 years old, so about only halfway through their lives with LU. I have heard they've had many many problems with them in recent years. The only replacements I can see for the the old 1938 stock (which still gives a good ride from my experience in 2009) is the 1972 stock from the Bakerloo, but not for at least several more years.

I wonder if the D stock could be sent to operate the "Island Line" over on the Isle of Wight and replace the Class 483's which are now rapidly approaching 75 years of age?

subsurface stock would be too big. i can see the 1992 stock going there

The 1992 stock is only around 18-16 years old, so about only halfway through their lives with LU. I have heard they've had many many problems with them in recent years. The only replacements I can see for the the old 1938 stock (which still gives a good ride from my experience in 2009) is the 1972 stock from the Bakerloo, but not for at least several more years.

I imagine this is wishful thinking on the part of TfL rather than anything serious?

I can't imagine that TFL had anything to do with it, their only interest would be if any payment received for old trains was slightly higher than the scrap value.It's not going to happen, who ever thought this up should needs a gentle 'reality check' to save them from further embarrassing themselves.I can see that the IOW might get some cascaded Tube stock in a few years time when the current 1938 stock finally falls apart.

I imagine this is wishful thinking on the part of TfL rather than anything serious?

I can't imagine that TFL had anything to do with it, their only interest would be if any payment received for old trains was slightly higher than the scrap value.It's not going to happen, who ever thought this up should needs a gentle 'reality check' to save them from further embarrassing themselves.I can see that the IOW might get some cascaded Tube stock in a few years time when the current 1938 stock finally falls apart.

I believe this was a suggestion from some local forum in the Harrogate area as a way of improving the quality and frequency of trains to Harrogate & York. So not affiliated with any railway operation, somewhat unrealistic and never likely to happen.